Budding entrepreneurs push pre-paid cards to weed sellers

America's stoners will soon be able to pay for their cannabis using a special pre-paid debit card.

Cannabis has recently been legalised in Colorado and Washington, while several other states have decriminalised the drug or made it legal for medicinal use.

With weed becoming increasingly respectable, specialist firm FastFunds is hoping to move the industry out of the shadowy cash-based economy through a smart card that retail store owners can load for their customers.

The card - which businesses can personalise - will help cut the amount of cash held on premises that could already a tempting target for thieves, argues the firm.

In addition, merchants will be able to operate incentive and rewards programmes in case the cannabis isn't moreish enough to keep customers coming back.

The card will be beta tested in Colorado over the next couple of months with FastFunds hoping to eventually roll it out nationwide.